Ice-full state detecting apparatus and refrigerator having the same

ABSTRACT

An ice-full state detecting apparatus and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The refrigerator including an ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a refrigerator body including a cooling chamber; a cooling chamber door to open and close the cooling chamber; an ice maker installed at the cooling chamber or at the cooling chamber door; an ice storage container to store ice made by the ice maker; and the ice-full state detecting apparatus to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container, wherein the ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a ice-full state detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container; a sensor heater to heat the ice-full state detecting sensor; a detecting unit to detect whether the ice-full state detecting sensor is in contact with external air; and a controller to control the operation of the sensor heater based on the detection result of the detecting unit. The ice-full state detecting sensor can be restrained from being frosted to thus prevent degradation of detection performance of the ice-full state detecting sensor. In addition, power consumption required for a defrosting operation can be reduced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ice-full state detecting apparatusand a refrigerator having the same, and more particularly, to anice-full state detecting apparatus capable of improving the accuracy ofdetection of an ice-full state and reducing power consumption indetecting an ice-full state.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is a device for refrigerating or freezing food items orthe like to keep them fresh in storage. The refrigerator includes an icemaker for making ice and an ice bank or an ice storage container forreceiving ice made by the ice maker.

An ice maker of the related art refrigerator includes a so-called fullice detection lever that detects whether or not ice stored in the icebank has reached a pre-set level. The ice full detection lever isconnected to a controller, and when ice-full state is detected by thefull ice detection lever, the controller controls the ice maker to stopan ice making operation.

The full ice detection lever is generally connected to a spring androtated downwardly by elastic force of the spring, and as ice within theice bank increases, the full ice detection lever is upwardly rotatedaccording to the increased level of the ice. When the full ice detectionlever is rotated up to a pre-set level or height, it is determined thatthe ice bank is full.

However, in the related art, if the full ice detection lever becomesfrozen, the mechanical operation of the full ice detection lever is notlikely to be performed, and the controller cannot determine whether theice bank is full. In such faulty state, ice is continuously suppliedalthough the ice bank is full of ice, causing an overflow of ice fromthe ice container.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, An object of the invention is to provide an ice-full statedetecting apparatus having a structure capable of accurately and stablydetecting an ice-full state of ice discharged from an ice maker, and arefrigerator having the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice-full statedetecting apparatus capable of reducing power consumption in detectingan ice-full state, and a refrigerator having the same.

Technical Solution

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided in one embodiment, a refrigerator having an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus includes: a refrigerator body including acooling chamber; a cooling chamber door to open and close the coolingchamber; an ice maker installed at the cooling chamber or at the coolingchamber door; an ice storage container to store ice made by the icemaker; and the ice-full state detecting apparatus to detect an ice-fullstate of the ice storage container, wherein the ice-full state detectingapparatus includes: a ice-full state detecting sensor to detect anice-full state of the ice storage container; a sensor heater to heat theice-full state detecting sensor; a detecting unit to detect whether theice-full state detecting sensor is in contact with external air; and acontroller to control the operation of the sensor heater based on thedetection result of the detecting unit.

The cooling chamber may include a freezing chamber, the cooling chamberdoor may include a freezing chamber door to open and close the freezingchamber, and the ice maker may be disposed at the freezing chamber door.

The freezing chamber door may include a case forming a space foraccommodating the ice maker and a door to open and close the case, andthe detecting unit may detect whether or not the door is open.

The detecting unit may include a switch turned on or off according torelative movement of the door and the case.

The switch may be disposed at the case and turned on or off by beingpressed by the door.

Combination portions may be formed at the door and the case such thatthey are engaged with each other to maintain the door closing the case.

The switch may be disposed at the engaged position of the combinationportions, and turned on or off as the combination portions are engaged.

The controller may operate the sensor heater when the door is open.

The controller may stop operation of the sensor heater when the door isclosed.

The ice maker may be disposed at the freezing chamber, and the detectingunit may detect whether or not the freezing chamber door is open.

The controller may control the sensor heater to operate when thefreezing chamber door is open.

The cooling chamber may include a refrigerating chamber, the coolingchamber door may include a refrigerating chamber door to open and closethe refrigerating chamber, and the ice maker may be disposed at therefrigerating chamber door.

The refrigerating chamber door may include a case providing the icemaker and a receiving space with one side open, and a door for openingand closing the open portion of the case.

The detecting unit may detect whether or not the door is open.

The controller may control the sensor heater to operate when the door isopen.

An ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a case having areceiving space with one side open; a door for opening and closing theopen region of the case; an ice-full state detecting sensor fordetecting whether or not an ice storage container is full of ice; asensor heater for heating the ice-full state detecting sensor; adetecting unit whether or not the door is open; and a controller forcontrolling an operation of the sensor heater based on the detectionresult of the detecting unit.

The controller may control the sensor heater to operate when the door isopen.

The controller may control the sensor heater to be stopped when the dooris closed.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Advantageous Effects

As so far described, the ice-full state detecting apparatus and therefrigerator having the same according to the present invention may haveone or more of the following advantages.

For example, because the sensor heater is disposed near the icedetecting sensor, heat generated from the sensor heater can betransferred to the ice detecting sensor. Frost that may be formed on theice detecting sensor can be removed, so the ice detecting sensor canaccurately and stably detect whether ice-full state of ice transferredfrom the ice maker. As can be appreciated, the sensor heater may preventthe formation of moisture or frost such that frost formation is not aconcern.

Because the extending pipe is formed to surround the receiver and thetransmitter of the ice detecting sensor while allowing a detect signaltransmitted from the receiver and the transmitter of the ice detectingsensor to pass therethrough and the sensor heater is installed at anouter side of the extending pipe, heat generated from the sensor heatercan be effectively transferred to the ice detecting sensor.

Because the sensor heater accommodating body with the sensor heaterwound thereon in the form of coil is applied to the ice detectingsensor, heat generated from the sensor heater can be uniformlytransferred to the entire surface of the receiver and the transmitter ofthe ice detecting sensor.

Because the sensor heater is applied to the sensor heater accommodatingbody such that the sensor heater is wound thereon several times in acoil type, the heating value of the sensor heater can be adjustedaccording to the number of winding the sensor heater. Thus, the heatingvalue of the sensor heater can be easily adjusted according to anenvironment where the ice detecting sensor is installed, for example,according to an ambient temperature.

Because the sensor heater is made of an electroconductive heatingmaterial that heats by itself, there is no need to additionally form aheater to defrost the receiver and the transmitter of the ice detectingsensor. The configuration of the ice detecting apparatus can besimplified and its fabrication can be facilitated.

Because the sensor heater is made of the electroconductive heatingmaterial and it covers the receiver and the transmitter of the icedetecting sensor, heat generated from the sensor heater can be uniformlytransferred to the entire surface of the receiver and the transmitter.

Because the sensor heater is made of the electroconductive heatingmaterial and it accommodates the receiver and the transmitter of the icedetecting sensor therein, the sensor heater can serve as an extendingpipe with respect to the receiver and the transmitter and as a heatsupply source for removing frost formed on the receiver and thetransmitter. Thus, any additional extending pipe or heater is notrequired to defrost the receiver and the transmitter, resulting in thesimplification of the configuration of the ice detecting apparatus andfacilitation of the fabrication.

The receiver and transmitter of the ice detecting sensor and the sensorheater are disposed in a hermetically enclosed space by the hermeticallysealed case, and a front side of the receiver and the transmitter can beinserted into the extending pipe while the body can be exposed to thehermetically enclosed space. Thus, heat generated by the sensor heatercan heat air within the hermetically enclosed space, and heat can betransmitted to the receiver and the transmitter through the heated air,increasing the efficiency of heat transmission from the sensor heater tothe receiver and the transmitter.

Because whether or not the door is open or closed with respect to theexternal case can be detected by the detecting unit, the controller cancontrol the operation of the sensor heater according to the open andclosed state of the door. By removing frost formed on the ice detectingsensor or by preventing frost formation, power consumption forperforming a defrosting and/or frost prevention operation can be reducedwhile preventing degradation of detection performance of the icedetecting sensor.

The ice detecting sensor disposed at the ice maker body detects anice-full state of ice collected within the ice storage container afterbeing discharged from the ice maker, a phenomenon that a mechanical icedetecting lever or the like for detecting ice-full state is frozen sothat it cannot properly detect an ice-full state can be prevented, andwhether or not the ice storage container is full of ice can beaccurately and stably detected.

The detection height of the ice-full state detecting sensor correspondsto the height of ice-full state in the ice storage container which has acertain height difference from an upper end of the ice storagecontainer. Thus, whether or not the ice storage container is full of icecan be accurately detected by the ice-full state detecting sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator including anice-full state detecting apparatus according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice maker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that the ice-full state detectingapparatus of FIG. 1 detects a state before full ice;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing that the ice-full state detectingapparatus of FIG. 1 detects an ice-full state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-full statedetecting sensor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including theice-full state detecting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including theice-full state detecting apparatus according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including theice-full state detecting apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a front side of a refrigeratorincluding an ice-full state detecting apparatus according to a seventhembodiment;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a switch pressed in the refrigeratorincluding in the ice-full state detecting apparatus according to theseventh embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a switch in FIG. 20 released fromthe pressed state;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to an eighth embodiment; and

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including theice-full state detecting apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

A refrigerator including an ice-full state detecting apparatus accordingto exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator including anice-full state detecting apparatus according to a first embodiment, FIG.2 is a perspective view of an ice maker of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a verticalsectional view of the ice maker of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view ofa portion ‘A’ in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that theice-full state detecting apparatus of FIG. 1 detects a state before fullice, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing that the ice-full statedetecting apparatus of FIG. 1 detects an ice-full state, FIG. 7 is aperspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-full statedetecting sensor of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing acoupled state of the ice-full state detecting sensor of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the refrigerator including an ice-full statedetecting apparatus includes: a refrigerator body 10 having a coolingchamber; a cooling chamber door to open and close the cooling chamber;an ice maker 100 installed at the cooling chamber or at the coolingchamber door; an ice storage container 180 to store ice made by the icemaker 100; and the ice-full state detecting apparatus to detect anice-full state of the ice storage container 180, wherein the ice-fullstate detecting apparatus includes: a ice-full state detecting sensor120 (in FIG. 7) to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container180; a sensor heater 128 (in FIG. 7) to heat the ice-full statedetecting sensor 120; a detecting unit 55 to detect whether the ice-fullstate detecting sensor 120 is in contact with external air; and acontroller 50 to control the operation of the sensor heater 128 based onthe detection result of the detecting unit 55. Here, the cooling chambergenerally refers to a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, andthe refrigerator body may be a so-called side-by-side refrigeratorincluding a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber disposed in ahorizontal direction. The refrigerator body may be a so-called a topfreezer refrigerator or a bottom freezer refrigerator including afreezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber disposed in a verticaldirection.

In the refrigerator body 10, the refrigerating chamber 11 and thefreezing chamber 12 may be formed in a horizontal direction. Therefrigerator body 10 may include a refrigerating cycle for providingcold air (i.e., cooling air) to the refrigerating chamber 11 and thefreezing chamber 12. The refrigerating cycle mechanism may be configuredas a so-called vapor compression type refrigerating cycle including acompressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing therefrigerator after heat is released, an expanding device fordecompressing and expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator forallowing the refrigerator to absorb ambient latent heat so as to beevaporated.

A refrigerating chamber door 13 and a freezing chamber door 14 may beprovided at the front of the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezingchamber 12 to open and close the refrigerating chamber 11 and thefreezing chamber 12. A detecting unit 55 for detecting opening of thefreezing chamber 14 may be provided within the freezing chamber 12. Thedetecting unit 55 may be configured as a so-called a contact type switchfor detecting closing and opening of the freezing chamber door 14 bybeing in contact with the freezing chamber door 14. Also, the detectingunit 55 may be configured as a so-called non-contact type switch fordetecting closing or opening of the freezing chamber door 14 by themedium of a magnetic force without being in contact with the freezingchamber door 14. The detecting unit 55 is connected to the controller 50so that it can output a detect signal to the controller 50.

The freezing chamber door 14 may include a dispenser 190 for allowing auser to take ice therefrom without opening the freezing chamber door 14.

The ice maker 100 for making ice may be provided at an upper portion ofthe dispenser 190. The ice maker 100 may be connected to be controlledby the controller 50 so that it can perform an ice making operation orstop it based on a detection result of the detecting unit 55.

The ice maker 100 may be provided at an inner side of the freezingchamber 12. When the refrigerator body 10 is formed as the bottomfreezer refrigerator, the ice maker 100 may be provided at therefrigerating chamber door. In this case, the refrigerating chamber doormay include a case having a space for accommodating the ice maker withone side open and a door for opening and closing the open region of thecase. The case and the door cooperatively form an ice making chamberdemarcated from the refrigerating chamber therein. The ice makingchamber may include a cold air supply flow path to provide cold air ofthe freezing chamber to the ice making chamber.

The ice storage container 180 may be provided at a lower portion of theice maker 100 to store ice dropped after being made in the ice maker100. A lower portion of the ice storage container 180 communicates withthe dispenser 190, so the ice in the ice storage container 180 may betaken out of the dispenser 190.

The operation regarding the ice maker 100 will now be described inbrief.

After a proper amount of water is supplied to the ice maker 100, coldair is supplied to the ice maker 100. Ice is made by the suppliedcooling air in the ice maker 100, separated from the ice maker 100according to a self-operation of the ice maker 100, and falls into theice storage container 180 so as to be accommodated therein. The iceaccommodated in the ice storage container 180 is supplied by a desiredamount by the dispenser 190 whenever the user requires it.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the ice maker 100 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention is a device for making ice,including a water supply unit 107 to which water is supplied from theexterior, an ice making chamber 104 in which ice is made, an ejector 105for separating ice made in the ice making chamber 104, and an ice makerbody 101 including a plurality of components for rotating the ejector105.

A mounting unit 105 is formed behind the ice making chamber 104, bywhich the ice maker 100 is mounted within the refrigerator. Referencenumeral 103 denotes a hole into which a combining protrusion is insertedto allow the mounting unit 104 to be mounted within the refrigerator.

A rotational shaft extends out of the ice maker body 101. The ejector105 has portions (or arms) extending outwardly (or radially) from theshaft and rotates according to a rotational movement of the shaft inorder to pick up ice.

A separator 106 is formed at an upper portion of the ice making chamber104 to allow ice to be picked up by the ejector 105 to be guided andfall into the ice storage container 180.

The water supply unit 107, the ice making chamber 104, the ejector 105,and the like are elements for making ice in the ice maker 100, so theycan be defined as an ice making unit. Of course, the configuration ofthe ice making unit is an exemplary one, to which any other elements maybe added or some of the elements may be omitted.

An ice making heater 140 is installed at a lower portion of the icemaking chamber 104 in order to apply heat to allow the interfaces of iceand an inner surface of the ice making chamber 104 to be separated fromeach other. The ice making heater 104 may be electrically connected toan external power source within the ice maker body 101.

A heater support 130 may be formed at a lower portion of the ice makingheater 140. The heater support 130 may be connected with the ice makerbody 101. The heater support 130 may be molded together with the icemaker body 101.

In this embodiment, a sensor disposing unit 110 extends with a certainlength in a downward direction from the ice maker body 101. A portion ofthe heater support 130 extends up to a position corresponding to thesensor disposing unit 110.

A transmitting unit 121 is installed in the sensor disposing unit 110,and a receiving unit 123 is installed at a portion extending from theheater support 130 to correspond to the sensor disposing unit 110. Atransmitter 122 and a receiver 124 for transmitting and receivingsignals are installed in the transmitting unit 121 and the receivingunit 123 in a facing manner.

Transmitting and receiving signals, the transmitting unit 121 and thereceiving unit 123 detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container180, so they can be defined as an ice-full state detecting sensor 120.As the ice-full state detecting sensor 120, an infrared sensor may beused.

The ice-full state detecting sensor 120 is disposed at the ice makerbody 101 and detects a state of ice fully accumulated in the ice storagecontainer 180 after being discharged from the ice maker 100.

Here, the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 may be disposed in the icestorage container 180 at a position corresponding to the height at whichice is fully accumulated.

In detail, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transmitting unit 121 of theice-full state detecting sensor 120 extends in a downward direction downto the interior of the ice storage container 180. The transmitter 122 isinstalled at a lower portion of the transmitting unit 121. Thetransmitter is disposed at a position corresponding to the height of theice-full state of the ice storage container 180.

Here, the position of the transmitter 122 has been mentioned, but thereceiving unit 123 and the receiver 124 may be formed to correspond tothe height of the transmitting unit 121 and the transmitter 122.

With such configuration, the detection height of the ice-full statedetecting sensor 120 corresponds to the height of the ice-full state ofthe ice storage container 180 having a certain height difference (h)from an upper end 181 of the ice storage container 180. Thus, whether ornot the ice storage container 180 is full of ice can be accuratelydetected by the ice-full state detecting sensor 120.

The transmitting unit 121 and the receiving unit 123 of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor 120 are displayed at both sides of an icedischarging outlet, a passage through which ice is discharged from theice maker body 101. The ice-full state detecting sensor 120 receives andtransmits infrared rays, traversing the ice discharging outlet, todetect the ice-full state.

The ice storage container 180 provides a space for accommodating icedischarged from the ice maker 100 therein.

A transfer unit 150 is installed at a lower portion of the ice storagecontainer 180.

The transfer unit 150 sequentially transfers ice accommodated in the icestorage container 180 from the ice storage container 180, and crushesthe ice into an appropriate size.

In detail, the transfer unit 150 includes a fixed blade 155 fixed in theice storage container 180, a rotatable blade 151 relatively rotatingwith respect to the fixed blade 155, a rotational shaft 153 to which therotational blade 151 is connected, a motor 154 connected to therotational shaft 153, and a transfer blade 152 for transferring ice.

The rotatable blade 151 is formed at one side of the rotational shaft153, and the transfer blade 152 is formed at the other side of therotational shaft. Thus, when the rotational shaft 153 is rotated, therotational blade 151 and the transfer blade 152 can be rotated together.

As the transfer blade 152, a spiral auger may be used.

Reference numeral 160 is an outlet through which ice is dispensed fromthe ice storage container 180, and reference numeral 170 is a guide pathfor guiding ice, which has been dispensed through the outlet 160, to adispenser 190.

The operation of the ice maker 100 and the transfer unit 150 will now bedescribed.

First, water is guided by a water supply pipe of a certain shape so asto be supplied to the water supply unit 107. The supplied water isintroduced into the ice making chamber 104, and below-zero cold air isprovided in the ice making chamber to freeze water received in the icemaking chamber 104.

After the water within the ice making chamber 104 is completely frozenthrough the above-described process, the ejector 105 operates by acertain driving mechanism installed in the ice making body 101. Then,the ice frozen in the ice making chamber 104 is picked up.

Here, before the ejector 105 operates, heat is applied toward the icemaking chamber 104 by the ice making heater 140 to allow the ice and thecontact surface of the ice making chamber 104 to be separated from eachother.

After the ice is picked up by the ejector 105, it is guided by theseparator 106 and then falls into the ice storage container 180 so as tobe collected therein.

The above-described operation is repeatedly performed, and when the icestorage container 180 is full of ice, the ice-full state detectingsensor 120 detects the ice-full state and the operation of the ice maker100 is stopped.

Meanwhile, when ice supply to the user via the dispenser 190 isrequested, the motor 154 is driven and the rotational shaft 153connected to the motor 154 is rotated. Then, the rotational blade 151and the transfer blade 152 are rotated in conjunction.

As the transfer blade 152 is rotated, ice in a lower portion of the icestorage container 180 is transferred toward the rotational blade 151.

When the ice guided toward the rotational blade 151 is caught betweenthe rotational blade 151 and the fixed blade 155, it is crushedaccording to a pushing operation of the rotational blade 151.

The crushed ice is dispensed through the outlet 160 formed at a lowerside of the fixed blade 155. The dispensed ice falls through the guidepath 170. The fallen ice is then supplied to the user via the dispenser190.

The operation of the refrigerator having the ice-full state detectingapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, ice made by the ice maker 100 is discharged and falls into theice storage container 180. The fallen ice is collected within the icestorage container 180.

While the ice is continuously collected in the ice storage container 180until before the ice storage container 180 is full of ice, infrared raystransmitted from the transmitter 122 reach the receiver 124 and thecontroller (not shown) determines that the ice storage container 180 isnot full of ice yet.

When ice is continuously collected, ice would be filled up to a full iceheight of the ice storage container 180. Then, as shown in FIG. 6,infrared rays transmitted from the transmitter 122 is interrupted by theice, failing to reach the receiver 124, and the controller determinesthat the ice storage container 180 is full of ice.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the ice-full statedetecting sensor 120 is disposed at the ice maker body 101 and detectsfull ice collected within the ice storage container 180 after beingdischarged from the ice maker 100.

Thus, because the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 can detect whetherthe ice storage container 180 is full of ice or not, the related artproblem of a mechanical ice detecting lever (or the like) not being ableto properly detect whether the ice storage container is full or not dueto it being frozen or stuck can be avoided. That is, the ice filledstate of the ice storage container 180 can be more accurately and stablydetected.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the ice-full state detecting apparatusof the ice maker 100 for the refrigerator according to the firstembodiment of the present invention includes a ice-full state detectingsensor 120 disposed at the ice maker body 101 and detecting an ice-fullstate of the ice storage container 180, and a sensor heater 128 forapplying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 120.

The ice-full state detecting sensor 120 includes the transmitting unit121 and the receiving unit 123. Hereafter, only the transmitting unit121 will be described, as such description of the transmitting unit 121is also similarly applicable to the receiving unit 123.

A transmitter insertion hole 126 is formed at the transmitting unit 121to allow the transmitter 122 to be inserted therein. A sensor heatermounting recess 125 is formed near the transmitter insertion hole 126 toallow the sensor heater 128 to be mounted therein.

The transmitter insertion hole 126 is formed to penetrate thetransmitting unit 121 in a horizontal direction, and the sensor heatermounting recess 125 may be formed on a rear surface of the transmittingunit 121, namely, at the side facing a circuit unit 127. The sensorheater mounting recess 125 may be formed to be long in a verticaldirection.

The transmitting unit 121 supports the transmitter 122 and the sensorheater 128, and may be made of a plastic material to transfer heat ofthe sensor heater 128 to the transmitter 122.

The transmitting unit 121 allows a detect signal of the transmitter 122to be transmitted therethrough and protects the transmitter 122 againstan external material, and in this sense, the transmitting unit 121 maybe defined as a sensor cover.

The sensor heater 128 may be formed as a thin plate-like heater to makethe ice-full state detecting sensor simple.

With such configuration, heat generated from the sensor heater 128 canbe transferred to the transmitter 122 via the transmitter 121 and/or thecircuit unit 127 to remove frost that may be formed on the transmitter122. Thus, the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 can accurately detectwhether ice is full or not.

In addition, heat generated by the sensor heater 128 may be transferredto the transmitter 122 only via the transmitting unit 121, or in orderto improve heat transmission efficiency, heat generated by the sensorheater 128 may be transferred to the transmitter 122 via both thetransmitting unit 121 and the circuit unit 127.

Here, the sensor heater 128 may be configured to be electricallyconnected with an ice making circuit unit (not shown) within the icemaker body 101 via the circuit unit 127 to which the transmitter 122 isconnected, or the sensor heater 128 may be configured to be electricallyconnected directly with the ice making circuit unit.

Some other embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. In the following description, anycontents and explanations that have already been made for the firstembodiment will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a coupledstate of the ice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigeratorincluding an ice-full state detecting apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the ice-full state detecting apparatusof the ice maker 100 of the refrigerator according to the secondembodiment of the present invention includes an ice-full state detectingsensor 220 including a transmitting unit 221 and a sensor heater 228applying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 220.

An extending pipe 223 is formed to extend with a certain length on theside of the transmitting unit 221 that faces a circuit unit 227. Theextending pipe 223 includes a transmitter insertion hole 226 in which atransmitter 222 can be insertedly positioned. The transmitter insertionhole 226 may be formed in a horizontal direction of the transmittingunit 221.

The sensor heater 228 is combined on a portion of the transmitting unit221 near the extending pipe 223. The sensor heater 228 may be combinedwith the transmitting unit 221 by a tape or other combining unit.

The extending pipe 223 allows a detect signal transmitted from thetransmitter 222 to pass therethrough, and covers the transmitter 222.Because the sensor heater 228 is installed at the outer side of theextending pipe 223, heat generated from the sensor heater 228 can betransmitted to the transmitter 222 via the transmitting unit 221 and theextending pipe 223. Accordingly, frost that may be formed on thetransmitter 222 can be removed, and thus, the ice-full state detectingsensor 220 can accurately detect an ice-full state.

Reference numeral 224 denotes a hermetically sealed case and combinedwith the transmitting unit 221 to form a hermetically enclosed space.The transmitter 222 and the sensor heater 228 are disposed in thehermetically enclosed space so as to be protected.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a coupled state ofthe ice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigeratorincluding the ice-full state detecting apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the ice-full state detectingapparatus of the ice maker 100 of the refrigerator according to thethird embodiment of the present invention includes an ice-full statedetecting sensor 320 including a transmitting unit 321, and a sensorheater 328 applying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 320.

Reference numeral 324 denotes a hermetically sealed case and combinedwith the transmitting unit 321 to form a hermetically enclosed space.

An extending pipe 323 is formed to extend with a certain length on theside of the transmitting unit 321 that faces a circuit unit 327. Theextending pipe 323 includes a transmitter insertion hole 326 in which atransmitter 322 can be insertedly positioned. The transmitter insertionhole 326 may be formed in a horizontal direction of the transmittingunit 321.

A rear surface portion of the transmitter 322 penetrates the circuitunit 327.

A sensor heater receiving body 330 is disposed between the end of theextending pipe 323 and the circuit unit 327. In this embodiment, thesensor heater 328 covers in a coil type the periphery of the transmitter322. Specifically, the sensor heater 328 is wound on the sensor heaterreceiving body 330.

The sensor heater receiving body 330 includes a flange 331, atransmitter penetrating hole 332, and a wound portion 333.

The wound portion 333 is where the sensor heater 328 is wound severaltimes. The flange 331 is formed at both ends of the wound portion 333,having a diameter larger than that of the wound portion 333, so that thesensor heater 328 wound on the wound portion 333 may not be released.The transmitter penetrating hole 332 allows the transmitter 322 to passtherethrough. After passing through the transmitter penetrating hole332, a front surface portion of the transmitter 322 is inserted into thetransmitter insertion hole 326 of the extending pipe 323.

Thus, because the sensor heater 328 is wound in the coil form on thesensor heater receiving body 330 in which the transmitter 322 isinsertedly positioned therein, heat generated from the sensor heater 328can be uniformly transferred to the entire screen of the transmitter322. Accordingly, frost that may be formed on the transmitter 322 may beremoved, the ice-full state detecting sensor 320 can accurately detectan ice-full state.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a coupledstate of the ice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigeratorincluding an ice-full state detecting apparatus according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the ice-full state detectingapparatus of the ice maker 100 of the refrigerator according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention includes an ice-full statedetecting sensor 420 including a transmitter 421, and a sensor heater440 applying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 420.

Reference numeral 424 denotes a hermetically sealed case and combinedwith the transmitting unit 421 to form a hermetically enclosed space.

An extending pipe 423 is formed to extend with a certain length on theside of the transmitting unit 421 that faces a circuit unit 427. Theextending pipe 423 includes a transmitter insertion hole 426 in which atransmitter 422 can be insertedly positioned.

The sensor heater 440 is installed between the end of the extending pipe423 and the circuit unit 427.

The sensor heater 440 may be made of an electroconductive heatingmaterial, for example, a polymer material, that can simultaneouslytransfer electricity and heat. When power is applied to the sensorheater 440, it is heated. The heat generated by the sensor heater 440may be transferred to the transmitter 422.

The sensor heater 440 includes a body 441, a power connection terminal442 extending from the body 441 and connected with a power source, andtransmitter penetrating hole 443 penetratingly formed in the body 441.

The transmitter penetrating hole 443 allows the transmitter 422 to passtherethrough. After passing through the transmitter penetrating hole432, a front surface portion of the transmitter 422 is inserted into thetransmitter insertion hole 426 of the extending pipe 423.

Because the sensor heater 440 is made of an electroconductive heatingmaterial that can generate heat by itself, it is not necessary toadditionally form a heater to defrost the transmitter 422. Thus, theconfiguration of the ice-full state detecting apparatus can besimplified and the fabrication of the ice-full state detecting apparatuscan be facilitated.

In addition, because the sensor heater 440 covers the transmitter 422,heat generated by the sensor heater 440 can be uniformly transferred tothe entire surface of the transmitter 422. Accordingly, frost that maybe formed on the transmitter 422 can be removed, and thus, the ice-fullstate detecting sensor 420 can accurately detect an ice-full state.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of theice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigerator including anice-full state detecting apparatus according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the ice-full state detectingapparatus of the ice maker 100 of the refrigerator according to thefifth embodiment of the present invention includes an ice-full statedetecting sensor 520 including a transmitter 521, and a sensor heater528 applying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 520.

Reference numeral 524 denotes a hermetically sealed case.

The sensor heater 528 may be made of an electroconductive heatingmaterial. When power is applied to the sensor heater 528, the sensorheater 528 is heated, and the heat generated by the sensor heater 528can be transferred to the transmitter 522.

The sensor heater 528 includes a transmitter insertion hole 529. Thesensor heater 528 has a tubular shape longer by a certain length thanthe transmitter 522. The transmitter 522 is inserted into thetransmitter insertion hole 529. Inserted in the transmitter insertionhole 529 overall, the transmitter 522 is positioned within the sensorheater 528.

With such a configuration, the sensor heater 528 serves as an extendingpipe in which the transmitter 522 is inserted and protected therein, andalso serves as a heat supply source for defrosting the transmitter 522.Thus, it is not necessary to additionally configure a heater fordefrosting the transmitter 522 as well as an extending pipe. Therefore,the configuration of the ice-full state detecting apparatus can be moresimplified and the fabrication of the ice-full state detecting apparatuscan be further facilitated.

In addition, because the sensor heater 528 covers the transmitter 522,heat generated from the sensor heater 528 can be uniformly transferredto the entire surface of the transmitter 522. Thus, the transmitter canbe defrosted, and accordingly, the ice-full state detecting sensor 520can accurately detect an ice-full state.

Here, the sensor heater 528 may be electrically connected with an icemaking circuit unit via the circuit unit 527 within the ice maker body101 via the circuit unit 527, or may be directly electrically connectedwith the ice making circuit unit.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a coupled state ofthe ice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigeratorincluding an ice-full state detecting apparatus according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the ice-full state detectingapparatus of the ice maker 100 of the refrigerator according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention includes an ice-full statedetecting sensor 620 including a transmitting unit 621, and a sensorheater 628 applying heat to the ice-full state detecting sensor 620.

Reference numeral 624 denotes a hermetically sealed case. Thehermetically sealed case 624 is combined with the transmitting unit 621to hermetically seal the transmitter 622 and the sensor heater 628.

The sensor heater 628 may be a panel heater.

An extending pipe 623 is formed to extend with a certain length on theside of the transmitting unit 621 that faces a circuit unit 627. Theextending pipe 623 includes a transmitter insertion hole 626 in which afront surface portion of the transmitter 622 can be insertedlypositioned. The transmitter insertion hole 626 may be formed in ahorizontal direction of the transmitting unit 221.

A rear surface portion of the transmitter 622 penetrates the circuitunit 627.

With such a configuration, the sensor heater 628 is disposed in thehermetically enclosed space of the hermetically sealed case 624, andonly the front surface portion of the transmitter 622 is inserted in theextending pipe 623 and its body is exposed to the hermetically enclosedspace. Accordingly, heat generated by the sensor heater 628 can heat airin the hermetically enclosed space and heat can be transferred to thetransmitter 622 through the heated air. With this method, the efficiencyof heat transfer from the sensor heater 628 to the transmitter 622 canbe improved.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator including anice-full state detecting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention, FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a switchpressed in the refrigerator including the ice-full state detectingapparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention,and FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a switch in FIG. 20 releasedfrom a pressed state.

With reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, the refrigerator 10 including theice-full state detecting apparatus includes the refrigerator body 10having the refrigerating chamber 13 and the freezing chamber 14, therefrigerating chamber door 13 and the freezing chamber door 14 foropening and closing the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezingchamber 12, and the ice maker 100, the ice storage container 180 and thedispenser 190 installed at the refrigerating chamber door 14. Therefrigerator body 10 includes an ice making space forming case 710provided to accommodate the ice maker 100, the ice storage container 180and the dispenser 190 therein and form a space hermetically sealedagainst the exterior, and an ice making space door 720.

The ice making space forming case 710 is installed at the freezingchamber door 14 to cover the ice maker 100, the ice storage container180 and the dispenser 190 installed at the freezing chamber door 14. Aportion of the ice making space forming case 710 is open to allow anaccess from the exterior to the interior.

The ice making space door 720 opens and closes the opened portion of theice making space forming case 710.

The ice maker 100 includes the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 todetect whether or not the ice storage container 180 is full of ice, andthe sensor heater 128 to apply heat to remove frost formed on theice-full state detecting sensor 120.

Here, the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 and the sensor heater 128according to the first embodiment of the present invention are appliedto the ice maker 100, but those ice-full state detecting sensors andsensor heaters according to other embodiments of the present inventioncan be also applicable.

A detecting unit 730 detects whether or not the ice making space door720 is open or closed with respect to the ice making space forming case710. The detecting unit 730 may be connected to the controller 50 tooutput a detect signal. When the ice making space door 720 is open, theice-full state detecting sensor 120 may be frosted by external air of arelatively high temperature. Then, the ice-full state detecting sensor120 may not properly operate. The sensor heater 128 is connected to thecontroller 50, and when the ice making space door 720 is open, thecontroller 50 controls the sensor heater 128 to restrain generation offrost on the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 or perform defrosting.

Thus, in this embodiment, the opening and closing of the ice makingspace door 720 is detected by the detecting unit 730, and a controllermay control the operation of the sensor heater 128 according to whetheror not the ice making space door 720 is open or closed as detected bythe detecting unit 730.

Namely, when the ice making space door 720 is open, the controlleroperates the sensor heater 128 to remove frost generated on the sensorheater 128. When the ice making space door 720 is closed, the controllerstops the operation of the sensor heater 128.

In this manner, the operation of the sensor heater 128 is controlledaccording to whether or not the ice making space door 720 is open orclosed, whereby the ice-full state detecting sensor 120 can be defrostedto thus prevent degradation of the detecting performance of the ice-fullstate detecting sensor 120 and reduce power consumption for performingthe defrosting operation.

The configuration of the detecting unit 730 will now be described.

The detecting unit 730 includes a switch 735 which is turned on or offaccording to a relative movement of the ice making space door 720 andthe ice making space forming case 710, and a stopping hook 731 to pressthe switch 735 to turn on or off the switch 735.

In this embodiment, the switch 735 is disposed in a space formed in theice making space forming case 710, and the stopping hook 731 is disposedat the ice making space door 720.

The switch 735 includes a pressed portion 737 that may be moved whenpressed by the stopping hook 731, and a switch body 736 including acircuit to be turned on or off according to whether or not the pressedportion 737 is moved.

The stopping hook 731 includes a connection portion 733 formed along ahole 723 penetratingly formed in the ice making space door 720, and ahead portion 732 formed at the end of the connection portion 733. Thehead portion 732 may be caught at a portion of the ice making spaceforming case 710 to press the pressed portion 737, to allow the icemaking space door 720 to be fixed.

Here, the stopping hook 731 and the portion of the ice making spaceforming case 710 where the stopping hook 731 is caught are engaged witheach other to maintain the ice making space forming case 710 in a closedstate, which can be defined as stopping units. The switch 735 isdisposed at the portion where the stopping units are engaged with eachother, and the switch 735 may be turned on or off according toengagement of the stopping units.

Reference numeral 722 denotes a hermetically sealed member forhermetically sealing the ice making space forming case 710 and the icemaking space door 720.

The operation of the detecting unit 730 will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the stopping hook 731 is caught by the portionof the ice making space forming case 710, the ice making space formingcase 710 is closed by the ice making space door 720.

At this time, the pressed portion 737 of the switch 735 is pressed bythe stopping hook 731, and accordingly, the switch 735 is turned off.Then, the controller does not operate the sensor heater 128, or if thesensor heater 128 is being operated, the controller stops the operationof the sensor heater 128.

Thereafter, when the ice making space door 720 is rotated to open theopened portion of the ice making space forming case 710, the engagedstate of the stopping hook 731 and the portion of the ice making spaceforming case 710 is released.

At this time, the pressing of the stopping hook 731 to the pressedportion 737 is released, the pressed portion 737 is moved by anoperation of a spring or the like installed therein, and accordingly,the switch 735 is turned on. Then, the controller operates the sensorheater 128.

Of course, the ON/OFF operation states of the switch 735 may beimplemented to be opposite to those in the above description.

Here, the ice making space forming case 710 and the ice making spacedoor 720 are disposed in the space formed by the case and the door 13and 14 of the refrigerator 10, and the detecting unit 730 detectswhether or not the ice making space forming case 710 is open or closedby the ice making space door 720, but the present invention is notlimited thereto.

Namely, the detecting unit 730 may be configured to detect whether ornot the case of the refrigerator 10 is open or closed by the doors 13and 14, and accordingly, the operation of the sensor heater 128 may becontrolled.

Of course, the detecting unit 730 may be configured to detect bothwhether or not the case of the refrigerator 10 is open or closed by thedoors 13 and 14 and whether or not the ice making space forming case 710is open or closed by the ice making space door 720.

Portions of the case and the ice making space forming case 710 of therefrigerator are open, and the doors 13 and 14 and the ice making spacedoor 720 of the refrigerator 10 open and close the opened portions ofthe case and the ice making space forming case 710 of the refrigerator10.

In this aspect, the case and the ice making space forming case 710 ofthe refrigerator 10 may be defined as external cases, while the doors 13and 14 and the ice making space door 720 may be defined as doors foropening and closing the opened portions of the external cases.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of an ice-fullstate detecting sensor applied to a refrigerator including an ice-fullstate detecting apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a coupledstate of the ice-full state detecting sensor applied to the refrigeratorincluding the ice-full state detecting apparatus according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, an ice-full state detecting sensor820 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention includesa transmitting unit 821, a transmitter 822 and a circuit unit 827. Thedescription for the transmitting unit 821 can be applied in the samemanner to a receiving unit of the ice-full state detecting sensor 820.

The transmitting unit 821 has a box-like shape and includes atransmitter insertion hole 829 formed at one side thereof. Thetransmitter insertion hole 829 has such a shape that a portion of a rearsurface of the transmitting unit 821 is recessed in a forward direction.Namely, the transmitter insertion hole 829 is not formed to penetratethe transmitting unit 821, with its front side closed off. Here, thetransmitting unit 821 may be configured as a light-transmissive memberto allowing a signal of the transmitter 822 to pass therethrough. Inaddition, the transmitting unit 821 may be made of a synthetic resinirrespective of signal passing and a transmissive window may be formedas a light transmissive member only at a region of the transmitter 822where a signal is allowed to pass through.

The transmitter 822 connected to the circuit unit 827 is inserted intothe transmitter insertion hole 829.

The portions of the transmitting unit 821, other than the portion wherethe transmitter insertion hole 829 is formed, may be formed overall in arecessed manner except for the edge (or boundary) portions of thetransmitting unit 821. The recessed portions, excluding the edgeportions of the transmitting unit 821, are formed such that they do notpenetrate the transmitting unit 821 with its front side being blocked orclosed off.

A sensor heater 828 is formed at the recessed portion, excluding theedge portions of the transmitting unit 821. The sensor heater 828 canremove moisture that may exist on the surface of the transmitting unit821 corresponding to the front portion of the transmitter insertion hole829. Thus, signals transmitted by the transmitter 822 can be transmittedwithout being interfered with by moisture possibly existing on thesurface of the transmitting unit 821, accurate detection can be possiblyperformed.

In addition, because the sensor heater 828 is installed at the recessedportion, a space for accommodating an electric wire for connecting thesensor heater 828 and a power source can be provided.

A molding solution is injected into the recessed portion, excluding theedge portions of the transmitting unit 821, namely, into the portionwhere the sensor heater 828 is installed. The molding solution hardensto hermetically seal the interior of the ice-full state detecting sensorso that external moisture cannot be infiltrated into the circuit unit827, the transmitter 822 or the like.

In this embodiment, because the transmitter 822 is insertedly positionedin the transmitter insertion hole 829, although the molding solution isinjected into the portion where the sensor heater 828 is attached, themolding solution cannot be infiltrated into the transmitter 822. Inparticular, because the transmitter insertion hole 829 is closed,infiltration of the molding solution from the front surface portion ofthe transmitter 822 can be prevented. Thus, light diffusion at thetransmitter 822 can be prevented, and thus, accurate detection can beperformed.

In addition, because the transmitter is inserted into the transmitterinsertion hole 829, the transmitter 822 is covered, and the transmitter822 and the transmitting unit 821 can be aligned in their positionrelation without performing any additional process. Therefore, thefabrication of the ice-full state detecting sensor 820 can befacilitated.

A plurality of coupling hooks 823 and 824 are formed on the transmittingunit 821, and a plurality of hook coupling holes 825 and 826 are formedon the circuit unit 827 and combined with the plurality of couplinghooks 823 and 824. Because the coupling hooks 823 and 824 are combinedwith the hook coupling holes 825 and 826, the transmitting unit 821 andthe circuit unit 827 can be easily and firmly combined, and thetransmitter 822 and the transmitting unit 821 can be more easily alignedin their position relation.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The presentteachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thisdescription is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scopeof the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods,and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described hereinmay be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

1. A refrigerator including an ice-full state detecting apparatus,comprising: a refrigerator body including a cooling chamber; a coolingchamber door to open and close the cooling chamber; an ice makerinstalled at the cooling chamber or at the cooling chamber door; an icestorage container to store ice made by the ice maker; and the ice-fullstate detecting apparatus to detect an ice-full state of the ice storagecontainer, wherein the ice-full state detecting apparatus comprises: aice-full state detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of the icestorage container; a sensor heater to heat the ice-full state detectingsensor; a detecting unit to detect whether the ice-full state detectingsensor is in contact with external air; and a controller to control theoperation of the sensor heater based on the detection result of thedetecting unit.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the coolingchamber comprises a freezing chamber, the cooling chamber door comprisesa freezing chamber door to open and close the freezing chamber, and theice maker is disposed at the freezing chamber door.
 3. The refrigeratorof claim 2, wherein the freezing chamber door comprises a case forming aspace for accommodating the ice maker and a door to open and close thecase, and the detecting unit detects whether or not the door is open. 4.The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the detecting unit comprises aswitch turned on or off according to relative movement of the door andthe case.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the switch is disposedat the case and turned on or off by being pressed by the door.
 6. Therefrigerator of claim 4, wherein combination portions are formed at thedoor and the case such that they are engaged with each other to maintainthe door closing the case.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein theswitch is disposed at a portion where the combination portions areengaged, and turned on or off as the combination portions are engaged.8. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the controller operates thesensor heater when the door is open.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8,wherein the controller stops operation of the sensor heater when thedoor is closed.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the ice makeris disposed at the freezing chamber, and the detecting unit detectswhether or not the freezing chamber door is open.
 11. The refrigeratorof claim 10, wherein the controller controls the sensor heater tooperate when the freezing chamber door is open.
 12. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises a refrigerating chamber,the cooling chamber door comprises a refrigerating chamber door to openand close the refrigerating chamber, and the ice maker is disposed atthe refrigerating chamber door.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 12,wherein the refrigerating chamber door comprises a case providing theice maker and a receiving space with one side open, and a door foropening and closing the open portion of the case.
 14. The refrigeratorof claim 13, wherein the detecting unit may detect whether or not thedoor is open.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the controllercontrols the sensor heater to operate when the door is open.
 16. Anice-full state detecting apparatus comprising: a case having a receivingspace with one side open; a door for opening and closing the open regionof the case; an ice-full state detecting sensor for detecting whether ornot an ice storage container is full of ice; a sensor heater for heatingthe ice-full state detecting sensor; a detecting unit whether or not thedoor is open; and a controller for controlling an operation of thesensor heater based on the detection result of the detecting unit. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller controls the sensorheater to operate when the door is open.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the controller controls the sensor heater to be stopped when thedoor is closed.